Sectional key



March 13, 1928. 1,662,613

R. c. LAYNOR SECTIONAL KEY Filed April 18, 1927 Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES,

ROGER c. LAYNon; OF'ELKRIDGE, MAnYLAnn.

SECTIONAL KEY.

Application filed April 18, 1927. Serial No. 184,582.

This invention relates to sectional keys espeoiallyadapted to be used in conjunction with padlocks and it consists in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a .key consisting of two or more sections which are adapted tobe associated with each other to form the complete key and which may be readily disconnected from each other so that the different sections may be retained by different individuals.

By providing a key of this character, it will be necessary that the individuals who retain the respective sections are in the presence of each other whenthe complete key is formed and .is used in the lock. Therefore, it is impossible for any one of the individuals to use a single section in the lock and manipulate the same. The lock is intended primarily to be used for securing liquid fuel as for instance such as is stored and dispensed at an automobile oil station. 7 The lock may secure the contents of a tank and as the liquid is dispensed therefrom, the lock cannot be manipulated by a single attendant to open the tank and refill the same with liquid to replace that which has been previously withdrawn therefrom.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one portion of a lock showing one form of the 6 key inserted therein.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the key detached from the lock.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the same out on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are side elevational views of the sections of the key detached from each other. I Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the key with parts thereof broken away.

Figure 7 is an end elevational View of the key as shown in Figure 6. I

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the key consists of sections 1 and 2. These sections are provided at one end with handle portions 3 and each section is further pro vided with a spine portion 4. The section 1 is provided at one edge with outstanding lugs 5 which are adapted to receive the spine portion 1 of the section 2 between them when the said sections are moved longitudinally with relation to each other and the inner edges of the adjacent portions of the said sections are in engagement witheach other. The lugs '5 are provided with grooves .6 which receive ridges 7 provided upon the surface of the spine portion 4 of the section 2. The spine portions 4; of both section are provided at their outer edges with suitable blades 8 adapted to operate the tumblers (not shown) of the lock, part of which is indicated at 9 in Figure .1 of the drawing. 6

In use, each individual who is concerned. in the operation of the, lockretains one of the sections of the key and when the lock is opened, these individuals bring the sections togetherand form the key so that the lock is operated in the presence of all the said individuals; WVhen the key is with-, drawn form the lock, the sections are separated from each other, and are'retained by the respective individuals, and consequently, 7 assuring means are provided that the lock cannot be operated in the absence of the possessor of one of the sections of the key. In the form of the arrangement as shown in Fgures 6 and 7, the key consists of sec- 8 tions 10 and 11. The sectionlO is provided along its spine with flanges 12 which are arcuate in transverse section and which form the shaft of the'key structure. The edges of the flanges 12 are spaced from each other a i at one side of the shaft. The sectionll is provided with a spine portion adapted to enter the shaft 12 and the said spine portion carries a blade 13 which is adapted to move along the space between the edges of the flanges which form the shaft 12. The shaft of the section 10 is provided with a fixed blade 14.

It is obvious that when the spine of the section 11 is inserted in the shaft of the section 10, the blades 13 and it may be brought into proper position with relation to each other so that they may enter the key hole of a lock and when the complete key is turned in the lock, the said blades will operate the tumblers (not shown) in a usual manner.

From the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that a sectional key of simple structure is provided and that the 1 sections may be readily assembled With relation to each other to form a complete key and may be easily and quickly detached from each other so that the several sections may be retained by respective persons who 1 are interested or responsible for the commodity or material. which is secured by the lock which is operated by the complete key.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved apparatus, it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inex pensive and etlicient means for -arryin out the objects of the invention, and while 1 have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth. it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, without; departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the im'ention.

Having described the invention, What is claimed is:

1. A key comprising sertitms having spine portions, one oi the sections having outstanding lugs adapted to receive the spine portion of the other section between them. said sections adapted to move loneiitinlinallv vvith relation to each other to engage the spine portions and the Spine portions being pro-- vided with outstanding blades.

2. A key comprising sections having spine portions, the spine portion of one section having lugs provided with grooves, the spine portion of the other section having ridges adapted to enter said grooves and the spine portions being provided at their outer edges with blades.

3. A. key consisting of sections having spine portions, the spine portion of one section having spaced lugs provided with grooves. the spine portitm of the other section having ridges extending longitudinally thereof, said ridges and grooves adapted to interlit each other when the sections are moved longitndinall v and the spine portions being provided at. their edges with blades.

4-. A key comprising sections each havinga spine portion with a. blade thereon, the spine portion of one of the sections having outstanding inns adapted to receive the spine portion of the other section between: them.

in testimony \vhereot' ll atlix my signature.

ROGER C. LAYNOR. 

